Cancealed air breathing structure of shoe sole

ABSTRACT

A shoe sole comprises an outer layer, a waterproof ventilation layer, and an inner layer. The outer layer is provided with a plurality of interstices penetrating the outer layer in such a way that the interstices deviate from the longitudinal direction of the outer layer by a predetermined angle, and that the interstices remain contiguous to one another at such time when the outer layer is not exerted on by an external force, and further that the interstices are so stretched as to enable both sides of the outer layer to communicate with each other at the time when the outer layer is deformed by an external force exerting thereon.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates generally to a shoe sole, and moreparticularly to a concealed ventilation structure of the shoe sole.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The ventilation of shoe is aimed at the removal of moisture fromthe interior of the shoe, so as to soothe the shoe wearer. The US. Pat.No. 5,044,096 disclosed a breathable shoe sole, which comprises an outerlayer, a waterproof breathing layer, and an inner layer. The outer layerand the inner layer are provided with a plurality of through holes. Thewaterproof breathing layer is sandwiched between the outer layer and theinner layer to attain the ventilation effect. Such a structure asdescribed above has the following drawbacks.

[0003] The ventilation holes of the outer layer are so exposed that mudor foreign object is apt to deposit in the ventilation holes at suchtime when the shoe comes in contact with a muddy surface. As a result,the ventilation holes are clogged by the mud or foreign object, therebyresulting in failure of ventilation.

[0004] The water is apt to enter the ventilation holes at such time whenthe shoe comes in contact with a wet surface. In spite of the protectionwhich is provided by the waterproof breathing layer, the water tends toaccumulate between the outer layer and the waterproof breathing layer tocause the waterproof breathing layer to be in the state of watersaturation, thereby resulting in an increase in moisture in the interiorof the shoe.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] The primary objective of the present invention is to provide ashoe sole with a concealed ventilation structure to bring about thewaterproof ventilation effect.

[0006] The shoe sole of the present invention comprises an outer layerwhich has a sole profile and is made of an elastic material, an innerlayer which is fixed on the outer layer and is made of a breathablematerial, and a waterproof breathing layer which is sandwiched betweenthe outer layer and the inner layer. The present invention ischaracterized by the outer layer which is provided with a predeterminednumber of interstices, which penetrate the outer layer such that theydeviate from the longitudinal direction of the outer layer at apredetermined angle. These interstices are contiguous to one another toremain in the closed state at the time when the outer layer is free fromthe exertion of an external force. As the shoe sole is curved by theexternal force, the interstices are caused by the deformity of the outerlayer to stretch to remain in the open state.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007]FIG. 1 shows an exploded view of the present invention.

[0008]FIG. 2 shows a sectional view of the present invention.

[0009]FIG. 3 shows a bottom view of the present invention.

[0010]FIG. 4 shows a schematic view of the present invention in use.

[0011]FIG. 5 is similar to FIG. 3 for showing a schematic view of theouter layer interstices of another embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0012] As shown in all drawings provided herewith, a shoe sole of thepresent invention comprises the following component parts.

[0013] An outer layer 10 has a profile of the shoe sole and is made of arubber, or plastic material, or a rubber and plastic composite materialhaving an elasticity. The outer layer is provided in the outer side witha plurality of depressed or raised veins 11 for enhancing the frictionforce of the shoe sole.

[0014] An inner layer 20 is made of a breathable material, such as nylonor nonwoven fabric, and is fixed on the outer layer by adhesion.

[0015] A waterproof ventilation layer 30 is made of a waterproof andbreathable material, such as PE film, especially the waterproofbreathable film similar to “Gore-Tex”. The waterproof ventilation layer30 is sandwiched between the outer layer and the inner layer by adhesionfor providing the shoe sole with an appropriate waterproof function andan appropriate breathing function.

[0016] The present invention is characterized by the outer layer 10which is provided with a predetermined number of interstices 40. Theinterstices 40 are disposed in such a manner that they deviate from thelongitudinal direction of the outer layer 10 at a predetermined angle.The angle of deviation and the range of disposition area are notstrictly confined as long as the interstices are capable of beingstretched by the deformity of the outer layer at the time when the outerlayer is exerted on by an external force. As shown in FIG. 3, theinterstices 40 are slightly perpendicular to the longitudinal directionof the outer layer 10 and are disposed in an area corresponding inlocation to a portion for accommodating the foot sole. As shown in FIG.5, the interstices 40 are arranged in accordance with the original shoesole veins 11 of the outer portion of the outer layer. The intersticesare integrally formed of the outer layer by the thin knife moldingboard. The interstices penetrate through the portion of the outer layer10. In light of the interstices being formed by the knife in place ofpunching and drilling, the interstices are contiguous to one another toremain in the closed state at the time when the outer layer is notexerted on by an external force. As a result, the appearance of thepresent invention remains intact. When the shoe sole is exerted on by anexternal force to bend, the interstices 40 are caused by the deformityof the outer layer to stretch to remain in the open state.

[0017] As shown in FIG. 4, the foot sole is bent naturally when the shoewearer walks, thereby causing the outer layer 10 to deform. In themeantime, the interstices 40 of the outer layer are stretched one afteranother in the direction from the foot heel toward the toes, with such astretching action resembling the breathing action of a shark gill. As aresult, the inner side and the outer side of the outer layer areconnected to remain in a breathing state to bring about the ventilationeffect. When the shoe wearer remains stationary, the outer layer 10 isno longer exerted on by the external force, thereby recovering itsoriginal state as shown in FIG. 2. In the meantime, the interstices 40also return to the original state in which they remain contiguous to oneanother. In the event that the shoe of the present invention comes incontact with water, the water can not enter directly and withoutobstacle into the portion located between the outer layer 10 and thewaterproof ventilation layer 30. If the shoe sole of the presentinvention comes in contact with a muddy surface, the mud is preventedfrom depositing in or clogging the interstices 40 of the outer layer 10.As a result, the waterproof and breathing effect of the shoe sole of thepresent invention remains unimpaired.

What is claimed is:
 1. A shoe sole comprising: an outer layer having aprofile of the shoe sole and made of an elastic material; an inner layerfixed on said outer layer and capable of breathing; and a waterproofventilation layer sandwiched between said outer layer and said innerlayer; wherein said outer layer is provided with a plurality ofinterstices which penetrate said outer layer in such a manner that saidinterstices deviate from the longitudinal direction of said outer layerat an angle, and that said interstices remain contiguous to one anotherat such time when said outer layer is not exerted on by an externalforce, and further that said interstices are stretched to open up atsuch time when said outer layer is exerted on by an external force todeform.
 2. The shoe sole as defined in claim 1, wherein said inner layeris made of a breathable material.
 3. The shoe sole as defined in claim2, wherein said inner layer is made of a nonwoven fabric.
 4. The shoesole as defined in claim 1, wherein said waterproof ventilation layer ismade of a breathable PE film.
 5. The shoe sole as defined in claim 1,wherein said interstices are located in an area corresponding inlocation to a portion of the shoe sole for accommodating the foot sole.6. The shoe sole as defined in claim 1, wherein said interstices aredisposed in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction ofsaid outer layer.
 7. The shoe sole as defined in claim 1, wherein saidouter layer is provided in an outer side thereof with a plurality ofveins; wherein said interstices are disposed along an orientation ofsaid veins.